Wednesday, 24 September 2008

Patent wars stifle progress

The Financial Times reports on a Canadian-led international study which reports that the drive to accumulate and defend patents is 'stifling innovation, particularly in biotechnology and health care. The study's findings were presented in London by the chairs of the International Expert Group on Biotechnology, Innovation and Intellectual Property, Professor Robert Gold. Professor Gold is quoted as saying, "The old [intellectual property] approach of the biotechnology community has failed to deliver on its potential to address disease and hunger in both developing and industrialised nations. We need to do better, and the [information technology world] has shown us part of the solution."